Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
MATH 1442.002
Statistics for Life
Course Syllabus
Fall 2012
I. Course Information
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Meeting Time & Place: IH-160, MWF, 12:00-12:50 PM
Professor:
Dr. Jose Guardiola
Office Phone:
825-5544
Office Address:
CI 309
E-MAIL Address:
jose.guardiola@tamucc.edu
Web Page Address:
http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/~jguardiola
Office Hours:
o TR: 3:45 – 5:15 PM
o MW: 1:30 -2:30 PM
o Others by appointment
II. Course Description
This is an introduction to statistical methods used in the physical, life and social sciences. Topics covered
include: statistical thinking, descriptive Statistics, sampling & data collection, probability, probability
distributions, the binomial distribution, the normal distribution, central limit theorem, confidence intervals,
hypothesis testing, correlation & simple linear regression, categorical data analysis, one way analysis of
variance.
III. Prerequisites for the Course
Math 1314 or placement beyond college algebra.
IV. Required Textbook and Supplies
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MyLabsPlus access kit is required for homework and quizzes. I will discuss it in further detail
during the first day of class. You can access it at tamucc.mylabsplus.com ( an electronic version of
Elementary Statistics by Mario F. Triola, 11th edition is included in MyLabsPlus)
Lab manual for the lab portion of this class, no need to buy it as it will be provided online
A calculator is required for every quiz and examination. A TI-83/84 calculator or similar is
recommended.
Optional
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Hard copy of Elementary Statistics by Mario F. Triola, 11th edition ISBN 0558875130, or earlier
editions are suggested, but not required.
JMP software (JMP®, Version 9.0.2, Copyright © 2010 SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) will be
provided in the Lab and does not need be purchased unless you intend to work on labs at home.
There is a user guide at http://www.jmp.com/support/downloads/pdf/jmp8/jmp_user_guide.pdf
V. Student Learning Objectives
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Students will be able to use descriptive statistics and graphical exploration to summarize key
features of experimental data.
Students will be able to perform elementary probability calculations, primarily with the normal
distribution.
Students will be able to state, understand the importance of, and apply the Central Limit Theorem
to experimental data.
Students will be able to perform hypothesis tests of the following forms: one and two sample ttests, ANOVA, and linear regression.
Students will be able to analyze an experimental situation to determine appropriate statistical
analyses.
Students will be able to interpret the results of all calculations and statistical tests in the context of
the experiments that generate that data, and will be able to express these interpretations clearly in
writing.
Students will be able to use appropriate technology tools to perform needed calculations and tests.
VI. Instructional Methods and Activities
Methods for instruction include the following:
 Lecture.
 Demonstrations.
 Use of computer resources, including statistical software, spreadsheets, and the Internet for data
location, data organization, and data analysis.
VII. Evaluation and Grade Assignment
Final course standing will be based upon homework, quizzes, two tests during the semester, lab points and
a final test each weighted as follows:
Homework- 15%
Quizzes – 10%
Lab Section – 15%
Two exams- 20%
each
Final Exam – 20%
Homework and quizzes are available online through the MyLabsPlus system. Grading policies on lab will
be covered by your lab assistant. The lowest score of one of the two tests administered during the semester
will be replaced by the score on the final test, provided that the final test score is better than one of the
semester test score. The final test score will not be replaced by the semester test scores. Two semester tests
will be administered on paper during class time. Final exam will be administered during the final exam
period as scheduled.
Grading Scale:
Based on the above grades will be assigned according to the following scale.
A – 90%-100%
B - 80%-89.99%
C – 70%-79.99%
VIII. Tentative Schedule
Available online at
www.sci.tamucc.edu/~jguardiola , follow the MATH 1442 link
D – 60%-69.99%
F - below 60%
IX. Class Policies
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Homework is assigned online regularly through MyLabsPlus that can be accessed at
tamucc.mylabsplus.com (you need to buy an access code) and due as specified. No late homework
will be accepted unless there is a valid excuse. If you have problems to access the system you have
to let me know as soon as possible.
There is an online quiz immediately after each chapter is finished.
Two semester tests will be administered in class on Wednesday, September 26th, and Monday,
October 29th. These dates may be changed with due notice announced during class time. You are
allowed to bring in one page of notes, written or typed on both sides on a sheet not larger than
8.5”x11”. Your name should be written in the top of the page in large and clear letters. Pages of
notes and/or calculators can not be shared. Cell phones cannot be used as calculators. If an extra
credit work is assigned, or extra points are given, the total score should not exceed 100%. No
points will be “saved” toward the next examination.
There will be no makeup for a missed semester test. If a semester test is missed, its score will be
replaced by the score on the final exam. The opposite is not true. A missed final exam will result
on a score of 0 points.
Final exam will be administered on Monday, December 10th from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. It is a
comprehensive examination over all material covered during the semester. You will be allowed to
bring in two pages of notes following the same format described above.
Attendance will be taken each class. Talking during class time and tardiness are often disruptive to
the whole class and are not appreciated. If you are delayed and arrived late please do so quietly.
Excessive tardiness, disruptive talking, disruptive behavior or performing activities not related to
the class will be counted as absences and may cancel bonus points for attendance. Cell phones and
such must be turned off before class. 95% attendance or more will result in 3% as bonus points
added to your total score at the end of the semester that usually is helpful to determine borderline
grades. The instructor is NOT responsible for informing absent students what was covered in
previous classes, homework or any other announcements.
A grade of incomplete will only be given in exceptional circumstances, such as a death in the
family or personal injury that might prevent someone from taking the final exam. (Please notice
that an incomplete grade can only be given to students that are passing the course but have not
completed the required work for reasons beyond the students’ control). In this case, it is the
responsibility of the student to notify me as soon as possible, preferably by email, and to fill the
required "Incomplete Form" available from the University Registrar. If this is not done, a score of
0% will be assigned for any incomplete exams and a final grade will be computed using the
criteria described above.
Please check carefully the date and time of the tests as I cannot change them for any other reasons
not considered truly exceptional, that is; beyond the students’ control.
University students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards
of academic honesty. Academic misconduct for which a student is subject to penalty includes all
forms of cheating, such as illicit possession of examinations or examination materials,
falsification, forgery, complicity or plagiarism. (Plagiarism is the presentation of the work of
another as one’s own work.) In this class, academic misconduct or complicity in an act of
academic misconduct on an assignment or test will result in a grade of 0% on that assignment or
test.
Although obviously I hope all goes smoothly for you this semester, events can sometimes occur
that make dropping a course necessary or wise. I encourage you to consult with me before you
decide to drop to be sure it is the best thing to do. Should dropping the course be the best course of
action, you must initiate the process to drop the course by going to the Student Services Center
and filling out a course drop form. Just stopping attendance and participation WILL NOT
automatically result in your being dropped from the class. Friday November 2nd, is the last day to
drop a class with an automatic grade of “W” this term. I cannot personally assign a grade of W.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the above with due notice to the students.
These changes will be announced in class and each student is responsible for keeping
herself/himself informed of such changes.
X. Legal Statements
Disabilities Accommodations
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation
requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable
accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation,
please call or visit Disability Services at (361) 825-5816 in Driftwood 101.
If you are a returning veteran and are experiencing cognitive and/or physical access issues in the classroom
or on campus, please contact the Disability Services office for assistance at (361) 825-5816.
Grade Appeals
As stated in University Rule 13.02.99.C2, Student Grade Appeals, a student who believes that he or she has
not been held to appropriate academic standards as outlined in the class syllabus, equitable evaluation
procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course. The burden of proof is
upon the student to demonstrate the appropriateness of the appeal. A student with a complaint about a
grade is encouraged to first discuss the matter with the instructor. For complete details, including the
responsibilities of the parties involved in the process and the number of days allowed for completing the
steps in the process, see University Rule 13.02.99.C2, Student Grade Appeals, and University Procedure
13.02.99.C2.01, Student Grade Appeal Procedures. These documents are accessible through the University
Rules Web site at:
http://www.tamucc.edu/provost/university\s\do6(r)ules/index.htmlhttp://www.tamucc.edu/provost/universit
y_rules/index.html.
For assistance and/or guidance in the grade appeal process, students may contact the Office of Student
Affairs.